Ford government cuts to tree planting disappoints Sudbury MP

Ed Patchell, chief executive of Ferguson Tree Nursery in Kemptville, says a rescue plan may be emerging to save as many as three million trees in danger of being plowed under because of cuts to an Ontario planting program.Tony Caldwell / Postmedia

They clean our air, shelter our homes and reduce the noise of our cities. They protect our crops from wind and are home to almost half the species on Earth. During floods, they help the ground absorb more water – reducing the loss of soil and damage to property. They also happen to be one of our most potent tools against climate change.

“They,” of course, are forests, and they are critical to the quality of our lives, the health of our communities, the strength of our economy and the resilience of our environment. Forests absorb a third of the greenhouse gases that are warming our planet – including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide. Even more impressively, they convert these harmful gases into oxygen.

In fact, just one large, leafy tree can produce a day’s supply of oxygen for about six people. Forests have helped shape our nation and define our people. From the era of tall ships to today’s tall wood buildings, timber has been the backbone of our country. Today, we are one of the leading forest nations in the world, with a global reputation for sustainable practices.

Sudbury MP Paul Lefebvre announced more than $1.85 million for March of Dimes Canada at the March of Dimes office in Sudbury, Ont. on Thursday April 25, 2019. The money will support the organization’s Accessible Biz Connections project, which provides inclusive employment and workplace opportunities for people with disabilities. John Lappa/Sudbury Star/Postmedia NetworkJohn Lappa /
John Lappa/Sudbury Star

More than 100 communities – mostly rural, remote and Indigenous – and nearly 210,000 workers rely on the forest sector to provide good jobs. And each year, the industry contributes to around $25 billion to our GDP.

Forests have been a key part of Sudbury’s history, with timber harvesting dating back to the mid-1880’s to support rail constructions, city building and mining operations. In Sudbury, since the 1970s, we have famously planted 10 million trees and the result has been transformational.

Our government believes in the forest sector, which is why I’m disappointed to see Premier Doug Ford’s cuts to the 50 Million Tree Program. Since 2008, 27 million trees have been planted through this program. Its cancellation will lead to more erosion in flood zones, poorer air and water quality, and less habitat for wildlife.

The Ford government has also made dangerous cuts to emergency forest firefighting services. These cuts will reduce essential support for our forest industry and communities who increasingly face extreme weather events.

Our government does things differently. In Budget 2019, we invested $250 million to help the forest sector grow and innovate, develop new products and find new markets. That’s on top of the $867 million already committed through our Softwood Lumber Action Plan.

The forest sector is dynamic and driven by innovation. Few areas hold greater promise than the emerging bio-economy, which is expected to be a $5-trillion global market by 2030. The bio-economy uses sustainable wood resources in new ways, including developing sources of renewable energy.

It’s been said that whoever plants a tree invests in the future. Our government is not only investing in that future, we’re helping re-imagine what the forest industry is, and can be. Unfortunately, Doug Ford’s government doesn’t see that. It’s moving backwards, not forwards. The Ford government is turning its back on sustainable forestry, instead of investing in it.

Ontarians want us to invest in the future, in our communities, and in our local economies. Our government is doing this, while ensuring that forests continue to enrich our lives, drive our economy and protect our environment.